Rafael’s POV


    I was leaning against the wall nonchntly, holding a ss of wine in my hand when she walked in, her hand wrapped intimately around a young man’s arm.


    I stood straight and growled as my heart skipped a beat. I didn’t know she had that effect on me.


    They walked side by side through the guests. She was smiling and chatting happily. There was something different about her, but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it.


    When our eyes met for the first time, there was nothing in them-no longing, no fear, nothing. Even the shock I had seen in them when she saw me at the show house was gone.


    She keptughing and chatting for ten minutes from the moment she entered, not sparing me another nce.


    She was stunning. Her face was more radiant. Did she cut her hair? It looked somehow different. Her curves had grown more seductive.


    And her belly…


    Now, fifteen minutes had passed since she walked in, and she still hadn’t looked at me. As if I didn’t exist.


    I couldn’t take it any longer. I mmed my ss on the table and was about to walk to her when Jack held my arm and whispered, “Don’t act rashly. The ce is crowded with photographers, and you don’t want to make a scene and ruin her budding career.”


    The bastard had a point.


    I bit my lower lip and stood in ce as if I were standing on a fire.


    One of the girls standing nearby approached me and asked, “So, Mr. Merrin. Did youe to visit some friends or for work?”


    Natalie’s eyes met mine for just a second before she averted her gaze as if she hadn’t seen me. I gritted my teeth. The more she acted like this, the more I felt the need to punish her. I was watching her like a hawk.


    She leaned toward the man beside her and whispered in his ear. He looked at her face, then ced his hand on her belly with concern.


    A cold anger crawled through my veins.


    “Mr. Merrin?” the girl inquired, waiting for my reply.


    I pushed her aside and said to Jack, “I’m not taking this any longer.” I headed toward the couple.


    “Oh, no!” Jack mumbled as he followed me.


    Every step toward them fueled my anger, especially as the man tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.


    “Can I have a word with you?” I asked, standing behind them.


    The man jumped a little, while Natalie turned around, smiling faintly as she said, “Yes, Mr. Merrin. How may I help you?”


    Mr. Merrin?


    May I?


    I nodded, my lips pressed tightly together, and said between gritted teeth, “I want to talk to you.”


    The same faint smile remained on her lips as she replied, “As you see, Sir, I’m busy. Once I’m free, I’ll let you know.” Then, just like that, she turned around and resumed her conversation.


    I could feel the eyes of some guests on my reddening face and hear their whispers.


    “Doesn’t she know who he is?”


    “She knows him. She called him by his name.”


    “How could anyone talk to Mr. Merrin like that?”


    “She’s so rude.”


    I didn’t care about them, but I was shocked. Was this really the Natalie I knew?


    Jack whispered, “Please, don’t make a scene. You can talk to herter.”


    I sized him up and down, then said to her, “Now! I need to talk to you now!”Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    She turned to me again, seeming annoyed, nced at her watch, and replied arrogantly, “I don’t know, Mister.” After a little hesitation, she continued, “Okay, but just for ten minutes. I don’t want to bete for the guests.”


    Without waiting for my response, she turned and started walking. I clenched my fists into balls and followed her like a little puppy.


    I knew she was embarrassing me on purpose.


    The mansion was so big, I had to keep up with her fast steps to avoid getting lost in its wings. But how did she know all its doors and corridors so well? As far as I knew, she didn’t live here.


    Finally, she opened one of the doors and walked in.


    I followed her and closed the door.


    Shemanded, as if I worked for her, “Don’t! Leave the door open.”


    “Why? Are you afraid of me?” I sneered.


    She crossed her arms on her chest and said arrogantly, “I don’t have to exin to you, but I don’t want anyone to think anything is wrong.”


    I took small steps toward her and asked, “Why? Are you afraid your fiance will misunderstand?”


    She raised an eyebrow but didn’tment. I took her silence as agreement, and that made me want to scream, to release the lump stuck in my throat.


    I stared at her belly, then gestured to it with my head and asked the question that was torturing me, “Is he the father?”


    A pained expression crossed her face, as if she were disappointed, then sheughed.


    I didn’t respond. The pain in my heart was unbearable, rendering me silent.


    Did she mean the child was her fiance’s?


    “What do you want, Rafael? Why did youe?” she asked in a dead serious tone.


    “You!” I replied, pained. I knew we couldn’t be together.


    “Don’t you think it’s toote?” she said sarcastically.


    Then, in a softer voice, she added, “We ended a long time ago, Rafael.”


    I whispered, “I loved you, Natalie. I was a fool to realize it toote, but I did love you.”


    “It doesn’t matter anymore. I advise you to go back to the USA. I’m not interested in anything you have to say.”


    I moved closer to her, unable to take it any longer. I wanted to hug her, to breathe in her scent.